The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) a main controller sequentially delivering charged particles from a synchrotron along a first beam transport line, through a nozzle system, and to the tumor according to a current version of the radiation treatment plan; (2) concurrent with the step of delivering, generating an image of the tumor using an imaging system; (3) the main controller automatically generating an updated version of the radiation treatment plan using the image, the updated version of the radiation treatment plan becoming the current version of the radiation treatment plan; and (4) repeating the steps of: delivering grouped bunches of the charged particles, generating an image of the tumor, and automatically generating the updated or current version of the radiation treatment plan with optional intervening doctor approval.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor of a patient with positively charged particles, comprising the steps of: (1) accelerating the positively charged particles to a relativistic energy using an accelerator; (2) transporting the positively charged particles from the accelerator, through a beam transport system, through an output nozzle of the beam transport system, and through the patient to yield a residual particle beam comprising a residual relativistic velocity; (3) determining the residual relativistic velocity using a first time of flight detector and a second time of flight detector separated by a separation distance; and (4) generating a positively charged particle computed tomography image using the residual relativistic velocity, where individual particles in the residual particle beam comprise a second mass of at least 1.02 times that of a first mass of the individual particles prior to the step of accelerating.

Systems and methods can include a system for positioning an ultrasound probe proximal to anatomy of a patient on a radiation couch including a substantially planar base including engagement features to directly or indirectly index the substantially planar base to the radiation couch and a centrally located guide extending longitudinally along a top side of the base, a probe holder, configured to be coupled to, to translate longitudinally, and to be user-accessed and user-controlled from within, a central region of the substantially planar base, a clamp, configured to localize the probe holder at a specified location along a translation path in the central region of the substantially planar base, leg supports shaped to accommodate a patient's legs from behind, the pair of leg supports being shaped and arranged to provide a space therebetween that can accommodate an ultrasound probe holder.

A radiation therapy system may be provided. The system may include a therapeutic apparatus. The therapeutic apparatus may include a radiation source for directing therapeutic radiation to at least one portion of a region of interest (ROI) of a subject, and an immobilizing device for immobilizing the subject. The system may obtain characteristics information of the subject. The system may preheat the immobilizing device according to a predictive model that processes the characteristics information of the subject. The system may send a control signal to the therapeutic apparatus for applying the therapeutic radiation to the at least one portion of the ROI immobilized by the preheated immobilizing device when the immobilizing device is preheated to a certain temperature.

A protection apparatus applied to a radiotherapy treatment couch and a radiotherapy treatment couch are provided. The protection apparatus includes: a protection panel and a status control mechanism connected to the protection panel, the protection panel being located in a to-be-protected area of the treatment couch and being perpendicular to a couch top of the treatment couch when in a use position, and the status control mechanism being configured to fix the protection panel to the use position or adjust the protection panel to a lay-down position. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the status control mechanism may adjust the protection panel in the use position, or in the lay-down position, so that the protection panel may protect a patient when in the use position, and the protection panel may not hinder a movement of the patient when in the lay-down position.

A head-stabilizing apparatus is adapted to position a head of a patient undergoing a medical procedure. The head-stabilizing apparatus includes a patient locator and a patient mask. The patient locator includes a mouthpiece adapted to be placed in a mouth of the patient undergoing the medical procedure. The patient mask is configured to change between an unworn position in which the patient mask is spaced apart from the face of the patient and an patient-worn position in which the patient mask overlays the face of the patient and receives the head of the patient undergoing the medical procedure. The patient locator is configured to selectively couple with the patient mask.

A system and method of producing a medical support device is disclosed. The disclosure determining a three-dimensional shape of the medical support device for supporting an anatomical body part of a patient, the method executed by a computer and including acquiring body part geometry data describing a geometry of the anatomical body part; acquiring medical procedure data describing a medical procedure to be carried out on the patient; acquiring atlas data describing a general three-dimensional shape of the anatomical body part; determining, based on the body part geometry data and the medical procedure data and the atlas data, support device geometry data describing the geometry of the support device. The method and system further includes generative forming of the device by issuing at least one control command to the generative forming device for forming the medical support device based on the support device geometry data.

An intracavity balloon catheter may include a flexible catheter and a balloon provided on a distal end of the flexible catheter. The balloon may be inflatable with the introduction of fluid into the balloon from the flexible catheter. The balloon may be composed of a plurality of sections, including a center section and side sections. The inflated balloon may have shapes such as cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or pillow shape. The intracavity balloon catheter may further include a securing device, such as a positioning ring, for securing the position of an inserted intracavity balloon catheter. This securing device may be composed of two, matable components with a passage extending through. The flexible catheter may be insertable into the passage. Tabs may be provided, either on one of the components or on a locking mechanism provided between the components, to prevent sliding of an inserted flexible catheter.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for using a single robotic positioning arm to simultaneously move, relative to a proton beam path entering a treatment room containing the patient, both: (1) a patient support and (2) an imaging system. The robotic arm moving the imaging system and patient independently from movement of a nozzle system directing protons into the treatment rooms allows: simultaneously translating past the patient and rotating around the patient an X-ray source of the imaging system; translating a rotatable unit, of the imaging system, longitudinally past the patient on a translation guide rail; moving the patient support and the imaging system through at least four degrees of freedom relative to a movable proton beam; and/or simultaneous or alternating movement of the proton treatment beam and the imaging system relative to the patient.

Described herein are systems and methods of processing immobilization molds for application of treatment, A computing system may generate a three-dimensional mold model of immobilization mold within with a subject is to be positioned for application of a treatment. The computing system may subtract a three-dimensional scan of at least a portion of the subject from the three-dimensional mold model to define an opening therein. The computing system may remove, from the three-dimensional mold model, a first portion to define an imprint in the opening from a first axis along which the subject is to enter. The computing system may remove, from a second portion of the three-dimensional mold model remaining with the removal of the first portion, inward protrusions into the imprint of relative to the second axis intersecting the first axis.